Sulfide, HR

DOC316.53.01319

Methylene Blue Method1

Method 10254

0.01 to 0.70, 0.1 to 7.0, 1 to 70 mg/L S2

Reagent Solution

Scope and application: For oil and gas field waters.

1

Adapted from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Test preparation
Instrument-specific information
Table 1 shows all of the instruments that have the program for this test. The table also
shows sample cell and orientation requirements for reagent addition tests, such as
powder pillow or bulk reagent tests.
To use the table, select an instrument, then read across to find the applicable information
for this test.
Table 1 Instrument-specific information
Instrument

Sample cell orientation

Sample cell

DR 6000

The fill line is to the right.

2495402

DR 3800
DR 2800
DR 2700
DR 1900
DR 5000

The fill line is toward the user.

DR 3900
DR 900

The orientation mark is toward the user.

2401906

Before starting
Samples must be analyzed immediately after collection and cannot be preserved for later analysis.
Install the instrument cap on the DR 900 cell holder before ZERO or READ is pushed.
Some sulfide loss can occur if dilution is necessary.
Review the Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for the chemicals that are used. Use the recommended personal protective
equipment.
Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheets for disposal
information for unused reagents. Refer to the environmental, health and safety staff for your facility and/or local regulatory
agencies for further disposal information.

Items to collect
Description

Quantity

Sulfide 1 Reagent

12 mL

Sulfide 2 Reagent

12 mL

Pipet or mechanical pipettor (appropriate sample and reagent size)

Items to collect (continued)

Description

Quantity

Sample cells (For information about sample cells, adapters or light shields, refer to Instrumentspecific information on page 1.)

Stoppers

Water, deionized

10 mL

Refer to Consumables and replacement items on page 5 for order information.

Sample collection

Samples must be analyzed immediately after collection and cannot be preserved for
later analysis.
Collect samples in clean glass or plastic bottles with tight-fitting caps. Completely fill
the bottle and immediately tighten the cap.
Prevent agitation of the sample or exposure to air.

Methylene Blue method

Start

1. Start program 691

Sulfide HR. For information
about sample cells,
adapters or light shields,
refer to Instrument-specific
information on page 1.
Note: Although the program
name can be different
between instruments, the
program number does not
change.

2. Prepare the blank: Fill a

sample cell with deionized
water. Use 10 mL for
spectrophotometers and
25 mL for colorimeters.

3. Prepare the sample:

Add the sample volume that
is specified for the test
range to a clean sample
cell. Refer to Table 2
on page 3.
Use a pipet to measure
small volumes.

4. Spectrophotometers:
Add deionized water to the
10-mL line. Colorimeters:
Add deionized water to the
25-mL line.
To prevent sulfide loss, do
not mix the sample more
than necessary.

Sulfide, Methylene Blue Method (multi-range: 0.70, 7.0, 70 mg/L)

5. Add Sulfide 1 Reagent to

each sample cell. Use
0.5 mL of reagent for
spectrophotometers. Use
1.0 mL of reagent for
colorimeters.

6. Swirl to mix.

7. Add Sulfide 2 Reagent to

each sample cell. Use
0.5 mL of reagent for
spectrophotometers. Use
1.0 mL of reagent for
colorimeters.

8. Put the stopper on both

sample cells with a stopper.
Invert to mix. The solution
shows pink and then blue if
sulfide is in the sample.

Zero

9. Start the instrument

timer. A 5-minute reaction
time starts.

10. When the timer expires,

clean the blank sample cell.

11. Insert the blank into the

cell holder.

12. Push ZERO. The

display shows 0 mg/L S2.

Read

13. Clean the prepared

sample cell.

14. Insert the prepared

sample into the cell holder.

15. Push READ. Results

show in mg/L S2.

Select a sample volume

Table 2 Sample volumes and ranges
Range

Spectrophotometer volume

Colorimeter volume

0.010.70 mg/L (LR)

10 mL

25 mL

0.17.0 mg/L (MR)

1.0 mL

2.5 mL

170 mg/L (HR)

0.1 mL

0.25 mL

Set the dilution factor

Instruments that have a dilution factor option can include the dilution factor in the result
and show the concentration of the original, undiluted sample. For example, if the sample
Sulfide, Methylene Blue Method (multi-range: 0.70, 7.0, 70 mg/L)

is diluted by a factor of 10, the instrument multiplies the result by 10 and shows the
calculated result in the instrument display.
1. Select Options>More>Dilution factor from the instrument menu.
Note: DR 1900: Select Options>Advanced Options>Dilution Factors>On.
Note: Colorimeters include a dilution factor when the chemical form is set. Go to
Options>Advanced Options>Chemical Form and select LR, MR or HR.

2. Enter the dilution factor:

1 mL sample diluted to 10 mL: dilution factor is 10.
0.1 mL sample diluted to 10 mL: dilution factor is 100.
3. Push OK to confirm. Push OK again.
4. Push RETURN to go back to the measurement screen.

Soluble sulfides
To measure soluble sulfides, use a centrifuge to separate the solids. To make an
estimate of the amount of insoluble sulfides in the sample, subtract the soluble sulfide
concentration from the total (with solids) sulfide concentration.
1. Fill a centrifuge tube completely with sample and immediately cap the tube.
2. Put the tube in a centrifuge and run the centrifuge to separate the solids.
3. Use the supernatant as the sample in the test procedure.

Interferences
Interfering
substance

Interference level

Barium

Concentrations more than 20 mg/L barium react with the sulfuric acid in Sulfide 1 Reagent and form a
BaSO4 (barite) precipitate. To correct for this interference:
1.

Dilute the sample in the test procedure as follows:

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Spectrophotometers: use a 0.1-mL or 1.0-mL sample volume and add deionized water to the 10mL mark.

Colorimeters: use a 0.25-mL or 2.5-mL sample volume and add deionized water to the 25-mL
mark.
Add both Sulfide 1 and Sulfide 2 reagents per the procedure steps.
After the 5-minute reaction period, pour the sample into a 50-mL beaker.
Pull the sample into a Luer-Lock syringe (10 cc for spectrophotometers or 60 cc for colorimeters).
Put a 0.45-m filter disc on the Luer-Lock tip and filter the sample into a clean sample cell for
measurement. Use deionized water to prepare the blank.
Set the instrument zero and read the result, per the procedure steps.
Multiply by the appropriate dilution factor for the dilution used (10 or 100).

Strong reducing Prevent the full color development or reduce the blue color
substances such
as sulfite,
thiosulfate and
hydrosulfite
Sulfide, high
levels

High concentrations of sulfide can inhibit the full color development. Use a diluted sample in the test
procedure. Some sulfide loss can occur when the sample is diluted.

Turbidity

Pre-treat the sample to remove sulfide, then use the pre-treated sample as the blank in the test procedure.
Prepare a sulfide-free blank as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Measure 25 mL of sample into a 50-mL Erlenmeyer flask.

Add 30-g/L Bromine Water by drops with constant swirling until a yellow color remains.
Add 30-g/L Phenol Solution by drops with constant swirling until the yellow color is removed.
Use this solution to replace the deionized water blank in the test procedure.

Sulfide, Methylene Blue Method (multi-range: 0.70, 7.0, 70 mg/L)

Accuracy check
Standard solution method
Sulfide standard solutions are not stable and must be prepared by the user. Refer to
Standard Methods, 4500S2 for preparation and standardization instructions.

Method performance
The method performance data that follows was derived from laboratory tests that were
measured on a spectrophotometer during ideal test conditions. Users can get different
results under different test conditions.
Program

Standard

Precision (95% confidence interval)

Sensitivity
Concentration change per 0.010 Abs change

691

0.52 mg/L S2

0.500.54 g/L S2

0.005 mg/L S2

Summary of method
Hydrogen sulfide and acid-soluble metal sulfides react with N,N-dimethyl-pphenylenediamine sulfate to form methylene blue. The intensity of the blue color is
proportional to the sulfide concentration. High sulfide levels in oil field waters may be
determined after proper dilution. The measurement wavelength is 665 nm for
spectrophotometers or 610 nm for colorimeters.

Pollution prevention and waste management

Reacted samples contain hexavalent chromium and must be disposed of as a hazardous
waste. Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations.

Consumables and replacement items

Required reagents
Description

Quantity/test

Unit

Item no.

varies

4L

27256

2244500

Sulfide 1 Reagent

12 mL

100 mL MDB

181632

Sulfide 2 Reagent

12 mL

100 mL MDB

181732

Quantity/test

Unit

Item no.

each

1970001

50/pkg

2185696

each

1970010

varies

50/pkg

2199796

Pipet, adjustable volume, 0.21.0 mL

each

BBP078

Pipet tips, for 0.21.0 mL pipet

100/pkg

BBP079

Pipet, adjustable volume, 1.05.0 mL

each

BBP065

Pipet tips, for 1.05.0 mL pipet

75/pkg

BBP068

Water, deionized
Sulfide Reagent Set
Includes:

Required apparatus
Description

Pipet, TenSette , 0.11.0 mL

Pipet Tips, for TenSette Pipet, 0.11.0 mL

Pipet, TenSette 1.010.0 mL

Pipet Tips, for TenSette Pipet, 1.010.0 mL

Sulfide, Methylene Blue Method (multi-range: 0.70, 7.0, 70 mg/L)

Optional reagents and apparatus

Description

Unit

Item no.

Beaker, 50-mL

each

50041H

29 mL

221120

Mixing cylinder, graduated, 10-mL

each

2088638

Flask, Erlenmeyer, 50-mL

each

50541

29 mL

211220

Pipet, serological, 10-mL

each

53238

Pipet filler, safety bulb

each

1465100

Syringe, 10-cc, Luer-Lock tip

each

2202400

Syringe, 60 cc, Luer-Lock tip

2258700

50/pkg

2513603

Bromine Water, 30-g/L

Phenol Solution, 30-g/L

Syringe filter, 0.45-m, 33-mm PVDF

FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PRICE INFORMATION AND ORDERING:

In the U.S.A. Call toll-free 800-227-4224
Outside the U.S.A. Contact the HACH office or distributor serving you.
On the Worldwide Web www.hach.com; E-mail techhelp@hach.com

Hach Company/Hach Lange GmbH, 19892014. All rights reserved.

HACH COMPANY
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Telephone: (970) 669-3050
FAX: (970) 669-2932

01/2014, Edition 10